Now McCarthy must keep his fingers crossed that both Sunderland’s Kevin Kilbane and Millwall’s Steven Reid will recover in time to link up with the rest of the squad in Dublin on Tuesday.

The absence of Kennedy and Duff means McCarthy may have problems on the left side of midfield.

Kilbane always looked to be a certain starter against the Iranians but he missed out on Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat by Leicester at Filbert Street on Saturday because of a recurring ankle problem.

Reid, a potential replacement after winning his first cap in the draw with Croatia in Dublin in August, was absent from Millwall’s 3-2 victory over Coventry at the New Den yesterday because of a hamstring problem.

‘‘As with the Roy Keane situation and his ongoing knee problem, we will just have to be patient and wait and see when the squad assembles on Tuesday. Time is on our side,’’ said McCarthy.

Kennedy could yet come into the reckoning for the second leg in Tehran a week on Thursday, but no decision will be made for at least 72 hours.

The absence of Duff means that 35-year-old Sunderland striker Niall Quinn is almost certain to partner in-form Leeds star Robbie Keane in attack.

But both David Connolly (Wimbledon) and Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace) could also force themselves into the reckoning.

Lansdowne Road is a 35,000 sell-out for the first leg with the Iranians taking out their allocated quota of 3,500 for fans based mainly in Britain.

The return game at the Azabi Stadium on November 15 is expected to be a 110,000 sell-out.